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5.0 from 3 votes

Lemon Lush

My Lemon Lush dessert packs tangy lemon layers, creamy indulgence, and a nutty crunch. It’s an irresistible treat that’s refreshingly bright, decadent and satisfying.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Chill TIme
4 hrs
Total Time
4 hrs 50 mins
Servings: 15 slices
Calories: 327 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Crust
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup Chopped Pecans
Cream Cheese Layer
  • 8 ounce cream cheese, softened
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
  • 8 ounces cool whip, thawed
Pudding Layer
  • 2 boxes Instant lemon pudding mix, 3.4 ounce each
  • 3 cups milk, cold
Topping
  • 8 ounces cool whip, thawed
  • 1 whole lemon, sliced and quartered

Instructions

For the crust
    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13x9 baking dish with butter (or shortening). Set aside.
  2. In a food processor, combine flour, butter, sugar, salt, and pecans. Process ntil small crumbs.
  3. Pour crumbs into bottom of baking dish. Press firmly. Bake for 30 minutes, until the edges of the crust are lightly browned. Cool for 30 minutes, then place in freezer while you make the filling.
For the cream cheese layer
  1. In a large mxing bowl, beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth. Mix in lemon juice and lemon zest, then fold in the Cool Whip. Set aside.
For the pudding layer
  1. Combine the Instant lemon pudding mix with the milk in a mixing bowl. Whisk until it starts to thicken, about 2 minutes. Set aside.
Assembly
  1. Spread the cream cheese layer on top of the cooled crust. Spoon lemon pudding over the cream cheese layer. Finally spread the remaining 8 ounces of Cool Whip over the top.
  2. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
  3. Cut into slices and serve with lemon slices, or zest.

Notes

  • Use homemade whipped cream instead of whipped topping for the cream cheese layer and topping. Whip 4 cups of cold heavy whipping cream and 1 cup of powdered sugar at high speed until stiff.
  • Top with chopped pecans instead of lemon slices and zest.
  • You’ll want to keep this dessert chilled as much as possible. Place it back in the fridge in between servings.
  • Refrigerator: Cover the Lemon Lush with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Freezer: Cover the dessert with plastic wrap and foil, to prevent freezer burn, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
  • Use homemade whipped cream instead of whipped topping for the cream cheese layer and topping. Whip 4 cups of cold heavy whipping cream and 1 cup of powdered sugar at high speed until stiff.
  • Top with chopped pecans instead of lemon slices and zest.
  • You’ll want to keep this dessert chilled as much as possible. Place it back in the fridge in between servings.
  • Refrigerator: Cover the Lemon Lush with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Freezer: Cover the dessert with plastic wrap and foil, to prevent freezer burn, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
  • You’ll want to make sure the crust is fully baked and cooled before adding the other layers. If the crust is still too warm, the layers may get melty.
  • Make sure the cream cheese and powdered sugar are smooth and lump-free after mixing them.
  • For more lemon flavor, add another tablespoon of lemon zest to the pudding layer.
  • See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1slice Calories 327kcal (16%) Carbohydrates 34g (11%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 20g (31%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 7g Trans Fat 0.2g Cholesterol 42mg (14%) Sodium 167mg (7%) Potassium 173mg (5%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 21g (42%) Vitamin A 528IU (11%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 117mg (12%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 15slices

Amount Per Serving

Calories 327

% Daily Value*

Serving 1slice
Calories 327kcal 16%
Carbohydrates 34g 11%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 20g 31%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Trans Fat 0.2g 10%
Cholesterol 42mg 14%
Sodium 167mg 7%
Potassium 173mg 4%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 21g 42%
Vitamin A 528IU 11%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 117mg 12%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.